Maryland Makes Progress on Bike Infrastructure Improvements

Maryland is already recognized as one of the top states for bicycling. It was ranked number 8 by the League of American Bicyclists, with good grades for legislation, enforcement, policies, education and planning. But, starting with Gov. Martin O'Malley's leadership, officials across the state are redoubling their efforts to increase bicycling opportunities. 

Thomson details what several of the state's cities and counties are doing to address weaknesses in infrastructure and funding, and advance bicycle system planning.

In Baltimore, where bike commuting has increased 50 percent over the past four years, officials are looking to update the 2006 master plan, noted Nate Evans, the city's bike and pedestrian planner. "The biggest accomplishment during the past 12 months, Evans said, was securing more than $400,000 in state and federal money to expand the city's 40 miles of bike lanes and 39 miles of trails."

"Those projects include cycle tracks that place a bike lane between the curb and a row of parked cars to provide a margin of safety for riders. Maryland Avenue, Cathedral Street and Park Avenue could be prime candidates, Evans said."